CN112444045A

CN112444045A - Hinge assembly for pivotally coupling a mullion assembly to a refrigerator door and refrigerator

Info

Publication number: CN112444045A
Application number: CN202010826902.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 卡皮尔·艾亚瓦尔; 埃里克·拉森
Original assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Current assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Priority date: 2019-08-28
Filing date: 2020-08-17
Publication date: 2021-03-05
Also published as: EP3786556A1; US20210063078A1; US10995977B2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hinge assembly for pivotally coupling a mullion assembly to a refrigerator door and a refrigerator. The hinge assembly includes a first hinge element having a first cam member with a cam upper surface having a first portion and a second portion with an angled intermediate portion disposed therebetween. The first portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element is vertically spaced a distance from the second portion. The second hinge element is rotatably coupled to the first hinge element between first and second positions and includes a second cam member having a lower cam surface that includes an engagement point that engages the upper cam surface of the first hinge element. When the second hinge element is rotated from the first position to the second position, the second hinge element is driven upward by engagement of the engagement point with the cam upper surface of the first hinge element.

Description

Hinge assembly for pivotally coupling a mullion assembly to a refrigerator door and refrigerator

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a mullion assembly, and more particularly to a mullion assembly having a hinge assembly that biases the mullion assembly toward a stowed position on a refrigerator door to prevent the mullion assembly from interfering with the proper closing of the refrigerator door.

Background

Many known refrigerator assemblies include a pivoting mullion assembly to seal the refrigerator cabinet when the refrigerator door is closed. The mullion assembly is generally coupled to a door and is movable between a deployed position and a stowed position. The mullion assembly is normally in a stowed position when a door coupled to the mullion assembly is in an open position. With the door in the open position, the mullion assembly is accessible to a user and is easily rotated from the stowed position to the deployed position by the user. Rotation of the mullion assembly from the stowed position to the deployed position when the door is in the open position may present problems because a user may attempt to close the door when the mullion assembly in the deployed position is not properly configured to engage the door frame of the refrigerator cabinet. When the mullion assembly extends outward from the door in the deployed position during the closing movement of the door, the mullion assembly may break or be damaged and the door will not be able to close completely. Accordingly, the mullion hinge assemblies of the present concept are configured to bias the mullion assemblies from a deployed position to a stowed position to counteract unwanted interference by a user.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a hinge assembly for a mullion assembly includes a first hinge element including a first cam member and a hinge pin. The first cam member includes an upper cam surface spaced apart from the hinge pin to define an interior cavity therebetween. The cam upper surface includes a first portion disposed below a second portion with a raised intermediate portion disposed therebetween. The second hinge element includes a second cam member, a base, and a hollow interior. The second cam member includes a lower cam surface that includes an engagement point that engages the upper cam surface of the first hinge element. The base of the second hinge element is slidably received in the internal cavity of the first hinge element. The hinge pin of the first hinge element is slidably received through the hollow interior of the second hinge element. The second hinge element is rotatable about the hinge pin between first and second positions. A spring member is operatively coupled to the second hinge element and is operable between a first position and a second position. The spring member moves from the first position to the second position when the second hinge element rotates from the first position to the second position. The second position of the spring member defines a compressed state of the spring member.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator includes a door rotatably coupled to a cabinet between an open position and a closed position. The mullion assembly is pivotally coupled to the refrigerator door between a stowed position and a deployed position. The mullion assembly extends outwardly from an inside edge of the door when the mullion assembly is in the deployed position. A hinge assembly interconnects the mullion assembly with the door. The hinge assembly includes a first hinge element including a first cam member and a hinge pin. The first cam member includes a cam upper surface including an upper portion disposed above a lower portion with an angled intermediate portion disposed therebetween. A second hinge element is rotatably received on the hinge pin between a first position and a second position and has a second camming member. The second cam member includes a lower cam surface that includes an engagement point that engages the lower portion of the upper cam surface of the first hinge element when the second hinge element is in the first position and the mullion assembly is in the stowed position. The engagement point engages the upper portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element when the second hinge element is in the second position and the mullion assembly is in the deployed position.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a hinge assembly for a mullion assembly includes a first hinge element having a first cam member having a cam upper surface with a first portion and a second portion with an angled intermediate portion disposed therebetween. The first portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element is vertically spaced a distance from the second portion. A second hinge element is rotatably coupled to the first hinge element between first and second positions and includes a second cam member having a lower cam surface that includes an engagement point that engages the upper cam surface of the first hinge element. The second hinge element is driven upward by engagement of the engagement point with the cam upper surface of the first hinge element when the second hinge element is rotated from the first position to the second position.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

Drawings

In the drawings:

fig. 1 is a top perspective view of a refrigerator;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 with the refrigerator door shown in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 showing the refrigerator door in a partially open position with the mullion assembly in a stowed position, wherein the deployed position of the mullion assembly is shown in phantom;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a hinge assembly having first and second hinge elements, with the second hinge element shown in a first position;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the hinge assembly of FIG. 4 with the second hinge element shown in a second position;

FIG. 6 is a graphical representation of the angle of the mullion assembly with respect to applied spring force and a representation of the first hinge element of FIG. 4; and is

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of the angle of compression of the mullion assembly with respect to the spring member and a representation of the first hinge element of FIG. 4.

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.

Detailed Description

The presently illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to the hinge assembly of a mullion assembly. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like reference numerals in the specification and drawings denote like elements.

For purposes of description, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof herein shall relate to the present disclosure as oriented in fig. 1. Unless otherwise specified, the term "front" refers to the surface of an element that is closer to the intended viewer, and the term "back" refers to the surface of an element that is further from the intended viewer. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further restriction, an element preceded by a "comprising … …" does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Referring now to fig. 1, reference numeral 2 generally designates a bottom-loading type refrigerator for use in the present invention. The refrigerator 2 includes a cabinet 4 having a top wall 6, a bottom wall 7, opposed

side walls

8 and 9, and a rear wall 10 that collectively define a first compartment 12 and a second compartment 14. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the first compartment 12 is disposed above the second compartment 14.

Referring now to fig. 2, the first compartment 12 includes a liner 15 having a top wall 16, a bottom wall 17, opposed

side walls

18 and 19, and a back wall 20. The first guide member 22 is shown disposed in front of the top wall 16 of the liner 15 and the second guide member 24 is shown disposed in front of the bottom wall 17 of the liner 15. The first and

second guide members

22, 24 define upper and lower guide members for guiding rotational movement of the mullion assembly, as further described below.

Although not specifically indicated, the refrigerator 2 is contemplated to include a refrigeration system for providing temperatures above and below freezing in the

compartments

12 and 14, respectively. Thus, in the embodiment of fig. 1, it is contemplated that the first compartment 12 is a fresh food storage compartment and the second compartment 14 is a freezer compartment. It is also contemplated that the open space configuration of the first compartment 12 may include various shelves, drawers, and bins for dividing the open space and storing items to be refrigerated in a manner known in the art. In fig. 1, the second compartment 14 is selectively accessed by a door 32, which may be a sliding drawer door. Thus, the refrigerator 2 is a bottom-loading refrigerator, wherein the lower freezer door 32 is adapted to slide in and out of the cabinet 4 to provide access to frozen articles stored in the second compartment 14.

As further shown in fig. 1 and 2, the refrigerator 2 includes a french door configuration having a first door 26 and a second door 28. A first door 26 and a second door 28 are pivotally coupled to the cabinet 4 to selectively provide access to the first compartment 12. The first door 26 and the second door 28 are adapted to seal the open front 40 of the cabinet 4 in an airtight manner to prevent the escape of cool air from the first compartment 12. Specifically, the first and

second doors

26, 28 seal the open front 40 of the cabinet 4 via

flexible gasket assemblies

42, 44, respectively, which may be elastomeric assemblies that may include sealing magnetic members disposed therein.

As shown particularly in fig. 2, the first door 26 includes a door bladder 50 having an outwardly projecting top portion 52, and outwardly projecting first and

second side portions

54, 56 disposed on opposite sides of the top portion 52. The rear portion 58 interconnects the top portion 52 with the first and

second side portions

54, 56 to collectively define a storage cavity 60. Within the storage cavity 60, it is contemplated that various shelving members, i.e., adjustable shelves, bins, storage units, etc., may be positioned within the storage cavity 60, such as supported between the opposing

side portions

54, 56.

Unless otherwise noted below, the structure of each of the first and

second doors

26, 28 is substantially identical, however, as is known in the art, the construction is reversed. As further shown in FIG. 1, the first door 26 and the second door 28 include

interior edges

62, 64, respectively, that are configured to seal against the mullion assembly 30 when the first door 26 and the second door 28 are in the closed position (FIG. 1). Mullion assembly 30 is a folding mullion, shown in FIG. 2 in an inwardly rotated or stowed position. The movement of the mullion assembly 30 is considered pivotal movement provided by one or more hinge assemblies interconnecting the mullion assembly 30 with the first side 54 of the liner 50 of the first door 26. When the first door 26 is moved from the closed position (FIG. 1) to the open position (FIG. 2), movement of the mullion assembly 30 between the stowed position and the deployed position is generally guided by the first guide member 22 and the second guide member 24 interacting with the upper and lower portions of the mullion assembly 30, respectively, and vice versa. While the mullion assembly 30 is shown as being coupled to the inner bladder 50 of the first door 26, it is also contemplated that the mullion assembly 30 may be pivotally mounted to a component of the second door 28, such that the concepts of the present invention are not limited to a particular right or left door mounting configuration of the mullion assembly 30. In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the first door 26 and the second door 28 are shown in a fully open position relative to the cabinet 4 of the refrigerator 2.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a partial view of the underside 66 of the refrigerator 2 is shown with the door 26 in a partially open position. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the door 26 is pivotally mounted to the cabinet 4 by an upper hinge assembly 71. As shown in fig. 3, the door 26 is further pivotally mounted to the chest 4 by a lower hinge assembly 72 coupled to the underside 66 of the door 26. In this manner, the door 26 is configured for pivotal movement along a swing path of the door 26 between open and closed positions relative to the cabinet 4, as indicated by arrow 68 (fig. 2 and 3).

As further shown in FIG. 3, mullion assembly 30 includes guide pins 31 disposed on the underside of mullion assembly 30. The guide pin 31 is configured to engage the lower guide member 24 of the storage compartment 12 to rotate the mullion assembly 30 along a rotational path 33 from the stowed position of FIG. 3 to the deployed position shown in phantom in FIG. 3. It is also contemplated that the door 26 may include an upper guide pin for engaging the upper guide member 22 to further guide the movement of the mullion assembly 30. As the door 26 moves along the swing path 68 of the door 26 closer to the closed position, the guide pins 31 disposed on the underside of the mullion assembly 30 will engage the lower guide members 24 of the storage compartment 12. Specifically, the guide pin 31 will engage the guide path of the lower guide member 24 at the first portion 24B of the guide path 24A. Guide path 24A of lower guide member 24 defines a passage through lower guide member 24 along which guide pin 31 of mullion assembly 30 moves mullion assembly 30 from a stowed position to a deployed position when door 26 is closed. The guide path 24A includes a first portion 24B and a second portion 24C. The mullion assembly guide pin 31 enters the guide path 24A at the first portion 24B of the guide path 24A when it initially contacts the lower guide member 24 during door closing motion. With this physical engagement, the mullion assembly 30 begins to rotate from the stowed position to the deployed position. Then, when the door 26 is moved to the fully closed position, the mullion assembly 30 is fully rotated to the deployed position. When the door 26 is in the fully closed position, the guide pin 31 is disposed in the second portion 24C of the guide path 24A of the guide member 24 such that the mullion assembly 30 is in the deployed position.

Movement of mullion assembly 30 from the stowed position to the deployed position is provided by a mullion hinge assembly 80 that rotatably interconnects mullion assembly 30 with door 26. Specifically, the mullion assembly 30 is coupled to the door 26 at an outwardly extending side 54 of the inner bladder 50 of the door 26. Thus, when the mullion assembly 30 is in the deployed position, the mullion assembly 30 extends outwardly from the inner edge 62 of the door 26 to cover the gap between the

doors

26, 28 of the refrigerator 2 when the

doors

26, 28 are closed. Other mounting locations for mullion assemblies 30 are also contemplated by the present invention. Mullion hinge assembly 80 may be one of a plurality of mullion hinge assemblies that pivotally couple mullion assembly 30 to door 26. As shown in fig. 3, the door 26 includes a clip member 78, which may be a dovetail clip member, that is received in a channel 84 of a base 82 of the mullion hinge assembly 80 to fixedly couple the mullion hinge assembly to the door 26, thereby pivotally coupling the mullion assembly 30 to the door 26.

Referring now to fig. 4, the hinge assembly 80 includes a first hinge element 86 that includes a first cam member 90. The first cam member 90 is spaced from the base 82 of the mullion hinge assembly 80 and includes a cam upper surface 92. In the embodiment shown, the hinge pin 94 projects upwardly from the first cam member 90 and is spaced from the cam member 90 to define an inner cavity 96 therebetween, as best shown in fig. 6. A lower hinge pin 95 projects downwardly from the first cam member 90 and can be used to pivotally engage a portion of the mullion assembly 30.

As further shown in FIG. 4, the mullion hinge assembly 80 includes a second hinge element 88 including a second cam member 100 and a mounting flange 104 adapted for interconnection with the mullion assembly 30. The second cam member 100 includes a lower cam surface 102 configured to engage the upper cam surface 92 of the first cam member 90 when assembled. Specifically, the cam lower surface 102 includes an engagement point 102A that remains in contact with the cam upper surface 92 of the first cam member 90 as the second cam member 100 is rotated relative to the first cam member 90. The point of engagement 102A of the lower cam surface 102 of the second cam member 100 defines the lowest point of the lower cam surface 102 of the second cam member 100. The second hinge member 88 also includes a base portion 106 that is rotatably received in the interior cavity 96 of the first hinge member 86. The base 106 is also slidably received in the interior cavity 96 of the first hinge member 86 for vertical movement therein. This engagement allows the base portion 106 of the second hinge element 88 to nest within the cavity 96 of the first hinge element 86. The second hinge element 88 also includes a receiving channel 108 disposed therethrough. The receiving channel 108 of the second hinge element 88 defines a hollow interior of the second hinge element 88. In assembly, the hinge pin 94 of the first hinge element 86 extends through the receiving channel 108 to further interconnect the first and

second hinge elements

86, 88. This interconnection about the hinge pin 94 enables the first and

second cam members

90, 100 to pivot relative to one another, as described further below.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 4, the second hinge element 88 is located on the first hinge element 86 in the first position. As described above, the second hinge element 88 is rotatably received on the hinge pin 94 of the first hinge element 86. Thus, the second hinge element 88 can be rotated from the first position shown in fig. 4 to the second position shown in fig. 5. Rotation of second hinge element 88 relative to first hinge element 86 is provided as mullion assembly 30 is rotated along door 26. When the second hinge element 88 is in the first position (FIG. 4), the mullion assembly 30 is considered to be in a stowed position. When the second hinge element 88 is in the second position (FIG. 5), the mullion assembly 30 is considered to be in the deployed position.

As further shown in FIG. 4, the mullion hinge assembly 80 includes a spring member 110 having a first end 112 abutting the second hinge element 88 and a second end 114 abutting a portion of the mullion assembly 30. The spring member 110 is shown in fig. 4 in the form of a helical spring and is located above the second hinge element 88. In use, the spring member 110 provides a biasing force on the second hinge element 88 to retain the lower cam surface 102 of the second hinge element 88 against the upper cam surface 92 of the first hinge element 86. Thus, the second hinge element 88 is fixedly mounted to the mullion assembly 30 via mounting flange 104, but is also slidably disposed on the first hinge element 86 for vertical movement along the hinge pin 94 of the first hinge element 86. In fig. 4, the first and

second hinge elements

86, 88 are aligned because the respective cam surfaces 92, 102 are disposed at the same angle relative to each other. Thus, in FIG. 4, it is contemplated that the mullion assembly 30 is in a stowed position, as shown in FIG. 3. Mullion assembly 30 is biased to this position by the interaction of cam surfaces 92, 102 held in contact by spring member 110.

As described above, mullion assembly 30 is configured to rotate about mullion hinge assembly 80 (and other such hinge assemblies) between deployed and stowed positions. When the door 26 is in the open position, the mullion assembly 30 is considered to be in the stowed position. Further, the mullion assembly 30 is accessible to a user when the door 26 is in the open position, and is easily rotated by the user from the stowed position to the deployed position. Rotation of the mullion assembly 30 from the stowed position to the deployed position when the door 26 is in the open position may be problematic because a user may attempt to close the door 26 when the mullion assembly in the deployed position is not properly configured to engage the cabinet 4. During the closing movement of the door 26, as the mullion assembly 30 extends outward from the door 26 in the deployed position, the mullion assembly 30 may be damaged or destroyed when it comes into contact with a closed door assembly (e.g., the second door 28), or, if both

refrigerator doors

26, 28 are open, the guide pin of the mullion assembly 30 may be destroyed by engaging with the broadside of the body portion of one of the upper guide member 22 or the lower guide member 24. At a minimum, if a user closes the door 26 while the mullion assembly 30 is in the deployed position, the door 26 will not be fully closed. Accordingly, mullion hinge assembly 80 is configured to bias mullion assembly 30 to a stowed position to counteract unwanted interference by a user.

When the mullion assembly 30 is moved from the deployed position to the stowed position, the cam surfaces 92, 102 are disposed at the same angle relative to each other such that the first cam member 90 and the second cam member 100 are said to be aligned (as shown in FIG. 4). This alignment helps maintain mullion assembly 30 in the stowed position when door 26 is open. When the mullion assembly 30 is moved from the stowed position to the deployed position when the door 26 is in the open position, the lower cam surface 102 of the second cam member 100 rotates with the mullion assembly 30 such that the point of engagement 102A of the lower cam surface 102 of the second cam member 100 rides on the upper cam surface 92 of the first cam member 90. This rotation of the second cam member 100 drives the second cam member 100 upwardly in the direction indicated by arrow 120 in fig. 5 such that the second hinge element 88 is vertically displaced from the first hinge element 86. When the mullion assembly 30 is in the deployed position, as shown in FIG. 5, when the cam surfaces 92, 102 are misaligned with each other, upward movement of the second cam member 100 compresses the spring member 110 to increase the force between the cam surfaces 92, 102. This force pushes the cam surfaces 92, 102 back to the rest or aligned position shown in fig. 4, wherein the cam surfaces 92, 102 are aligned with each other. Thus, the spring member 110 of the present concept is operable between a first and a second position, wherein the first position may be associated with a resting state of the spring member 110 and the second position of the spring member 110 may be associated with a compressed state of the spring member 110. The vertical displacement or compression of the spring member 110 between the rest state and the compressed state is considered to be commensurate with the distance 122 (fig. 7) between the vertically offset portions of the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86, as further described below.

Referring now to fig. 6, the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86 includes a first portion 92A that is defined at a lower position within the scallops 93 of the cam upper surface 92. The cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge member 86 also includes a second portion 92B defined at an elevated position along the cam upper surface 92. The second portion 92B of the cam upper surface 92 need not be the highest portion of the cam upper surface 92, but is disposed above the first portion 92A. Thus, the first and

second portions

92A, 92B of the cam upper surface 92 define lower and upper portions, respectively, that are vertically offset from one another by a distance 122 (fig. 7). The cam upper surface 92 includes a middle portion 92C that is an inclined portion disposed in a continuously descending configuration from the second portion 92B of the cam upper surface 92 to the first portion 92A of the cam upper surface 92. Thus, with the second portion 92B disposed vertically above the first portion 92A, the sloped intermediate portion 92C disposed therebetween provides a continuous progressive translation between the first portion 92A and the second portion 92B of the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86. Thus, the middle portion 92C may be referred to as a raised middle portion when translating from the first portion 92A to the second portion 92B. Further, the middle portion 92C may be referred to as a descending middle portion when translating from the second portion 92B to the first portion 92A.

Further, there is no scalloping at the second portion 92B of the cam upper surface 92, such that engagement of the engagement point 102A of the second hinge element 88 at the second portion 92B of the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86 is considered a misaligned engagement of the first hinge element 86 and the second hinge element 88. Thus, when the engagement point 102A contacts the second portion 92B of the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge member 86, the second hinge member 88 is biased toward the rotated position wherein the engagement point 102A contacts the first portion 92A of the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge member 86. It is contemplated that the engagement point 102A may extend downwardly to nest within the scallops 93 to maintain the engagement point 102A of the second hinge element 88 in contact with the second portion 92B of the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86. Thus, the rounded tooth 93 of the upper cam surface 92 of the first hinge element 86 defines a detent position for receiving the engagement point 102A of the lower cam surface 102 of the second hinge element 88.

As described above, movement of the engagement point 102A of the second hinge element 88 along the raised cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86 moves the second hinge element 88 upwardly along the hinge pin 94 and loads the spring member 110 to further bias the second hinge element 88 back into interconnection between the engagement point 102A and the second portion 92B of the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86. As further described above, when the engagement point 102A of the second hinge element 88 contacts the second portion 92B of the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86, the mullion assembly 30 rotates toward a deployed position, which is approximately 90 with respect to the first side 54 of the door liner 50, as shown in phantom in FIG. 3. When the engagement point 102A of the second hinge element 88 contacts the first portion 92A of the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86, the mullion assembly 30 is in the stowed position and is generally parallel to the first side 54 of the door inner 50, as shown in phantom in FIG. 3. Thus, hinge assembly 80 of the present concept biases mullion assembly 30 toward the stowed position through the engagement of cam surfaces 92, 102 and the urging bias provided by spring member 110. Thus, in the misaligned position (i.e., when the engagement point 102A of the second hinge element 88 is in contact with the second portion 92B of the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86), the second hinge element will be biased to rotate toward the aligned position (i.e., when the engagement point 102A of the second hinge element 88 is in contact with the first portion 92A of the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86). This rotational movement will occur under the force of gravity as the engagement point 102A moves downwardly along the descending middle portion 92C of the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86, which continuously translates from the second portion 92B to the first portion 92A and is assisted by the downward force of the spring member 110.

Referring now to fig. 6, a graphical representation depicting a comparison of the spring force of the spring member 110 when the engagement point 102A of the second hinge element 88 is disposed at the first position 92A and the second position 92B along the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86 is shown. Thus, in the-5 position along the chart of FIG. 6, mullion assembly 30 is contemplated to be in a stowed position, as shown in FIG. 3, and spring member 110 is contemplated to have little or no torque acting on second hinge element 88. With the mullion assembly 30 and stowed position, the engagement point 102A of the second hinge element 88 is envisioned as being disposed at the first portion 92A within the scallops 93 of the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86, as specifically identified in the left side view of the first hinge element 86 of fig. 6. As the mullion assembly 30 rotates from the stowed position to the deployed position, the engagement point 102A of the second hinge element 88 is envisioned to move from the first portion 92A within the scallops 93 of the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86 to the second portion 92B of the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86, as specifically identified in the right side view of the first hinge element 86 of FIG. 6. As the engagement point 102A of the second hinge element 88 engages the second portion 92B of the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86, the torque on the spring member 110 has risen significantly to about 200N mm. The amount of torque provided by the spring member 110 is associated with the mullion assembly 30 being disposed at an angle of about 90 degrees or greater to the door 26 (as shown in FIG. 3). Thus, during rotation of the second hinge element 88 relative to the first hinge element 86, the spring member 110 compresses as the second hinge element 88 moves upward along the hinge pin 94 of the first hinge element 86. As described above, during rotation of the second hinge element 88, the second hinge element 88 moves upward along the hinge pin 94 of the first hinge element 86 because the joint 102A travels along the raised middle portion 92C of the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86 between the first portion 92A and the second portion 92B of the cam upper surface 92. This vertically displaces the second hinge element 88 relative to the first hinge element 86 by simultaneously rotating and lifting the second hinge element 88. Lifting the second hinge element 88 vertically compresses the spring member 110. In the compressed state, the spring member 110 provides a substantial downward force on the second hinge element 88 to urge the second hinge element 88 into alignment with the first hinge element 86. The aligned position is where the engagement point 102A of the second hinge member 88 is aligned with the first portion 92A of the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86 and is also a position associated with the mullion assembly 30 being in the stowed position shown in fig. 3.

Referring now to fig. 7, the vertical displacement between the first portion 92A and the second portion 92B is considered to be in excess of 5mm, and may be anywhere in the range from about 4.5mm to about 5.5 mm. Thus, during rotation of the second hinge element 88 relative to the first hinge element 86, the spring member 110 may compress a distance of about 4.5mm to about 5.5mm as the second hinge element 88 moves upward along the hinge pin 94 of the first hinge element 86. Thus, in FIG. 7, the mullion assembly 30 is rotated relative to the door 26 from-5 (stowed position) to 90 (deployed position), which is related to the displacement or compression of the spring member 110 by a distance comparable to the vertical distance 122 between the first portion 92A and the second portion 92B of the cam upper surface 92 of the first hinge element 86.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a hinge assembly for a mullion assembly includes a first hinge element including a first cam member and a hinge pin. The first cam member includes an upper cam surface spaced apart from the hinge pin to define an interior cavity therebetween. The cam upper surface includes a first portion disposed below a second portion with a raised intermediate portion disposed therebetween. The second hinge element includes a second cam member, a base, and a hollow interior. The second cam member includes a lower cam surface that includes an engagement point that engages the upper cam surface of the first hinge element. The base portion of the second hinge element is slidably received in the internal cavity of the first hinge element. The hinge pin of the first hinge element is slidably received through the hollow interior of the second hinge element. The second hinge element is rotatable about the hinge pin between first and second positions. A spring member is operatively coupled to the second hinge element and is operable between a first position and a second position. The spring member moves from the first position to the second position when the second hinge element rotates from the first position to the second position. The second position of the spring member defines a compressed state of the spring member.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the point of engagement of the second hinge element defines a lowest point of the lower cam surface.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the engagement point of the second hinge element engages the first portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element when the second hinge element is in the first position.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the engagement point of the second hinge element engages with the second portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element when the second hinge element is in the second position.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the second hinge element moves upward along the hinge pin of the first hinge element when the second hinge element rotates from the first position to the second position.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the spring member biases the second hinge element downwardly along the hinge pin of the first hinge element to urge the second hinge element to rotate from the second position toward the first position.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the rising middle portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element continuously rises from the first portion to the second portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the first portion of the camming upper surface of the first hinge element is disposed within a scalloped surface defined on the camming upper surface of the first hinge element.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator includes a door rotatably coupled to a cabinet between an open position and a closed position. A mullion assembly is pivotally coupled to the refrigerator door between a stowed position and a deployed position. The mullion assembly extends outwardly from an inside edge of the door when the mullion assembly is in the deployed position. A hinge assembly interconnects the mullion assembly with the door. The hinge assembly includes a first hinge element including a first cam member and a hinge pin. The first cam member includes a cam upper surface including an upper portion disposed above a lower portion with an angled intermediate portion disposed therebetween. A second hinge element is rotatably received on the hinge pin between a first position and a second position and has a second camming member. The second cam member includes a lower cam surface that includes an engagement point that engages a lower portion of the upper cam surface of the first hinge element when the second hinge element is in the first position and the mullion assembly is in the stowed position. The engagement point engages an upper portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element when the second hinge element is in the second position and the mullion assembly is in the deployed position.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a spring member operatively coupled between the second hinge element and the mullion assembly, wherein the spring member biases the mullion assembly from the deployed position toward the stowed position.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a spring member operatively coupled between the second hinge element and the mullion assembly, wherein the spring member biases the second hinge element from the second position toward the first position.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the inclined middle portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element is continuously inclined in an upward direction from a lower portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element to an upper portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first portion of the camming upper surface of the first hinge element is disposed within a scalloped surface defined on the camming upper surface of the first hinge element.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the second hinge element includes a mounting flange to fixedly couple the second hinge element to the mullion assembly for rotation therewith.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the first hinge element includes a base fixedly coupling the first hinge element to the door, and further wherein the base is spaced apart from the first cam member.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a hinge assembly for a mullion assembly includes a first hinge element having a first cam member having a cam upper surface with a first portion and a second portion with an angled intermediate portion disposed therebetween. A first portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element is vertically spaced a distance from a second portion. A second hinge element is rotatably coupled to the first hinge element between first and second positions and includes a second cam member having a lower cam surface that includes an engagement point that engages the upper cam surface of the first hinge element. The second hinge element is driven upward by engagement of the engagement point with the cam upper surface of the first hinge element when the second hinge element is rotated from the first position to the second position.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the first portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element is disposed below the second portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a distance between the first portion of the camming upper surface of the first hinge element and the second portion of the camming upper surface of the first hinge element is in a range of about 4.5mm to about 5.5 mm.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the construction of the disclosure and other components is not limited to any particular material. Other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless otherwise indicated herein.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (in all its forms, coupled, etc.) generally means that two components (electrical or mechanical) are directly or indirectly joined to each other. Such a connection may be fixed in nature or movable in nature. This coupling may be achieved by the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members which may be integrally formed as a single unitary body with each other or with the two components. Unless otherwise specified, such joining may be permanent in nature, or may be removable or releasable in nature.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the present disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements as shown, the multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connectors or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or components of the system may be constructed from any of a variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability in any of a variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present inventions.

It will be understood that any described process or steps in a described process may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not to be construed as limiting.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly for pivotally coupling a mullion assembly to a refrigerator door, the hinge assembly comprising:

a first hinge element having a first cam member and a hinge pin, wherein the first cam member includes a cam upper surface spaced apart from the hinge pin to define an interior cavity therebetween, and further wherein the cam upper surface includes a first portion disposed below a second portion with a raised intermediate portion disposed therebetween;

a second hinge element having a second cam member, a base, and a hollow interior, wherein the second cam member includes a cam lower surface that includes an engagement point that engages the cam upper surface of the first hinge element, and further wherein the base of the second hinge element is slidably received in the internal cavity of the first hinge element, and further wherein the hinge pin of the first hinge element is slidably received through the hollow interior of the second hinge element, wherein the second hinge element is rotatable about the hinge pin between a first position and a second position; and

a spring member operably coupled to the second hinge element, wherein the spring member is operable between a first position and a second position, and further wherein the spring member moves from the first position to the second position when the second hinge element rotates from the first position to the second position, and further wherein the second position of the spring member defines a compressed state of the spring member.

2. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the point of engagement of the second hinge element defines a lowest point of the lower cam surface.

3. The hinge assembly of claim 2, wherein the engagement point of the second hinge element engages the first portion of the camming upper surface of the first hinge element when the second hinge element is in the first position.

4. The hinge assembly of claim 3, wherein the engagement point of the second hinge element engages the second portion of the camming upper surface of the first hinge element when the second hinge element is in the second position.

5. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the second hinge element moves upward along the hinge pin of the first hinge element when the second hinge element is rotated from the first position to the second position.

6. The hinge assembly of claim 5, wherein the spring member biases the second hinge element downward along the hinge pin of the first hinge element to urge the second hinge element to rotate from the second position toward the first position.

7. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the raised middle portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element continuously rises from the first portion to the second portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element.

8. The hinge assembly of any of claims 1-7, wherein the first portion of the camming upper surface of the first hinge element is disposed within a scalloped surface defined on the camming upper surface of the first hinge element.

9. A refrigerator, comprising:

a door rotatably coupled to the case between an open position and a closed position;

a mullion assembly pivotally coupled to the refrigerator door between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the mullion assembly extends outwardly from an inside edge of the door when the mullion assembly is in the deployed position;

a hinge assembly interconnecting the mullion assembly and the door, wherein the hinge assembly comprises:

a first hinge element having a first cam member and a hinge pin, wherein the first cam member includes a cam upper surface having an upper portion disposed above a lower portion with an angled intermediate portion disposed therebetween; and

a second hinge element rotatably received on the hinge pin between a first position and a second position and having a second cam member, wherein the second cam member includes a lower cam surface that includes an engagement point that engages the lower portion of the upper cam surface of the first hinge element when the second hinge element is in the first position and the mullion assembly is in the stowed position, and further wherein the engagement point engages the upper portion of the upper cam surface of the first hinge element when the second hinge element is in the second position and the mullion assembly is in the deployed position.

10. The refrigerator of claim 9, comprising:

a spring member operatively coupled to the second hinge element and the mullion assembly, wherein the spring member biases the mullion assembly from the deployed position toward the stowed position.

11. The refrigerator of claim 9, comprising:

a spring member operatively coupled between the second hinge element and the mullion assembly, wherein the spring member biases the second hinge element from the second position toward the first position.

12. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the point of engagement of the second hinge element defines a lowest point of the cam lower surface.

13. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the second hinge element moves upward along the hinge pin of the first hinge element when the second hinge element rotates from the first position to the second position.

14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the inclined middle portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element is continuously inclined in an upward direction from the lower portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element to the upper portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element.

15. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the lower portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element is disposed within a circular tooth defined on the cam upper surface of the first hinge element.

16. The refrigerator of claim 9 wherein the second hinge element includes a mounting flange to fixedly couple the second hinge element to the mullion assembly for rotation therewith.

17. The refrigerator of any one of claims 9-16, wherein the first hinge element includes a base fixedly coupling the first hinge element to the door, and further wherein the base is spaced apart from the first cam member.

18. A hinge assembly for pivotally coupling a mullion assembly to a refrigerator door, the hinge assembly comprising:

a first hinge element having a first cam member having a cam upper surface with a first portion and a second portion with a sloped middle portion disposed therebetween, wherein the first portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element is vertically spaced a distance from the second portion of the cam upper surface of the first hinge element;

a second hinge element rotatably coupled to the first hinge element between a first position and a second position, the second hinge element having a second cam member including a lower cam surface including an engagement point that engages the upper cam surface of the first hinge element, and further wherein the second hinge element is driven upward by the engagement point engaging the upper cam surface of the first hinge element as the second hinge element rotates from the first position to the second position; and

a spring member operably coupled to the second hinge element, wherein the spring member is operable between a first position and a second position, and further wherein when the second hinge element is rotated from the first position to the second position, the spring member compresses a distance comparable to a distance between the first portion of the camming upper surface of the first hinge element and the second portion of the camming upper surface of the first hinge element.

19. The hinge assembly of claim 18, wherein the first portion of the camming upper surface of the first hinge element is disposed below the second portion of the camming upper surface of the first hinge element.

20. The hinge assembly of any one of claims 18 and 19, wherein the distance between the first portion of the camming upper surface of the first hinge element and the second portion of the camming upper surface of the first hinge element is in a range of about 4.5mm to about 5.5 mm.